NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Four World Trade Center has officially opened, marking a major milestone as the first office tower at the 16-acre World Trade Center site to open since the Sept. 11 attacks.

A ribbon-cutting was held Wednesday morning for the 978-foot building.

Marking A Milestone: 4 World Trade Center Opens

“As we open its doors, the site once again becomes a part of New York’s continued growth, reconnected with the city that surrounds it,” Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

“That such elegance, beauty and quiet dignity rises from a place once decimated by unspeakable barbarism is as breathtaking as it is uplifting,” New York state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Marking A Milestone: 4 World Trade Center Opens

Designed by architect Fumihiko Maki, 4 World Trade Center is 2.5 million square feet and features waterfalls, lush trees and blue skies. The serene scene is striking and intentional.

“We want people to come and experience this both as a great office building, but also a sense of accomplishment that we’ve really turned the corner on rebuilding the World Trade Center and creating a better New York,” said Janno Lieber, head of World Trade Center construction.

The building sits on the southeast corner across from the 9/11 Memorial’s south reflecting pool. Maki said he aimed for a quiet, dignified presence out of respect for memorial.

“If you look closely, you won’t be able to help observe the fact that we’re directly across the street from the 9/11 Memorial Museum and everything that entails,” developer Larry Silverstein said.